The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-08-03
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MALEvOLENT PARTISANS

'.uent" 1nat Led to tho Now His
torical st. Louis Muddle.
The reason why the President of tn,
United States is not going to visit St
Louis, as he originally intended to do
is because certain organizations in /.
few Western States which assume t.
speak for the veterans of the army sig.
nlfled an unwillingness to receive hin,
and purpose to insult and perhaps tc
attack him if he appeared there. This
IS the first time in the history of the
Republic when, in time of peace, the
PRESIDENT has been debarred from visit
ing any section of the Republic BY rea.
son OF the hostility of the people. 1t is
significant and a melancholy fact
that the disloyal expressions which
nave brought about this humiliatinp
conclusion have emanated from men
arrogating much patriotism to them.
selves and assuming to speak for SOL
diers of the Union.
For purposes of historic accuracy if
may be worth while to recall the Incl.
dents leading up to this fact. The
Grand Army of the Republic is to hold
reunion this fall in St. Louis. AS
the occasion promises to be notable
one, many citizens conceived the idea
OF inviting the President to be there at
the same time, and graceful tender
OF the city's Inequalities being made,
the proposition was duly accepted.
Immediately a few political ruffians in
Des Moines, who have been prostitute
ing a Z. A. r. charter to the dirtiest
tricks which malevolent and fanat-
lcal mind could conceive of, formu-
lated q protest and announced that
II the President were to be at the re-. |
union they and other Iowa veterans
would refuse to march past him and
would insult him on sight. Some other
professional veterans in Kansas fol.
lowed suit and set all the camp follow
ers and bounty jumpers in the country
o threatening what they would and
would not do if, at reunion popular
J supposed to be of the most loyal and
,alorous men in the country, the Presi.
lent OF that country, to whom all owe
liegiance, should be present.
NO one who is acquainted with the
cal veterans of the Union armies
leubts for minute what sort Of q
eception the President would receive
u their hands in St Louis or else
mere, but under the circumstances it
probably wise move on Mr.. Cleve-
mas part to remain away from a
altering which, plainly enough, is
, De dominated more or less by a lot
vicious blatherskites who recognize
0 allegiance higher than party. The
aigar blackguards in Iowa and ham
IS will no doubt be gratifed at the
'ccess OF their Ku-klux tactics, but
le Presidents refusal to attend the re-
mon will cause the vast majority of !
g ola soldiers regret and shame. If j
e incident shall lead, as it should. to ,
e purging of the G. A. R, of the !,
ckless villains who assume in some +
ases to speak for it it will not be d
thout value. The President has 4
ne his duty. It now remains for the h
ndid and honorable men in the +
and Army to do theirs. The public h
large will not be long in disassociat-
IN their minds the grand army h
lch put down the rebellion from !,
At Grand Army whose mouthpieces o
the West are the venomous repro f
ties and latter day Copperheads of D
s Moines and Topeka. - Chicago i
raid. :.